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HomeMy WebLinkAbout1994-03-30 Workshop City Commission Meeting MinutesMINUTES DANIA CITY COMMISSION WORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 30, 1994 ROLL GALL: Present: City Manager: City Attorney: Recording Secretary: Bob Mikes Bobbie Grace John Bertino Bill Hyde Albert Jones Robert Flatley Frank Adler Charlene Saltalamacchia 1. Mayor Mikes said that this meeting was scheduled to give BSO and the public an opponunity to discuss concerns about the way that BSO deputies are enforcing the crime crackdown in the Northwest section ofthe City and to discuss their enforcement of the City Code. Vice Mayor Grace expressed appreciation to the public for attending this meeting and mentioned that there is reason for the public to be concerned about unprofessional behavior being displayed by some BSO Deputies. She stated that there are also some very loyal and professional deputies who are doing a good job for the community. Letters were presented from the Dania Housing Authority commending BSO for outstanding performance and Mr. Miles, President of MADDADS, advising the public that they would be patrolling the streets on March 30 from 9:OO p.m. until 12:00 midnight at the Saratoga Apartments. She also presented t report from BSO on the arre$s that 'were made from March 2l - 28, 1994. Vice Mayor Grace said that the Commission generally agreed at the recent workshop meeting with BSO that crime should be handled in the same manner throughout the City. She expressed dissatisfaction with BSO because citizens are calling Commissioners for crime assistance and stated the need {or BSO to treat all citizens with the same respect that is given to Commissioners. Vice Mayor Mikes mentioned that BSO warned the Commission at the workshop meeting that there would be negative feedback from the community when they started to enforce the loitering and drug problems in the nonhwest section. lWORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 30, 1994 Mayor: Vice Mayor: Commissioners: Commissioner Jones felt that BSO should protect citizens with confidentiality when they are reporting deputies for unprofessional behavior and to respect individuals who are known to have a past criminal record. Discussion following on the need for BSO to send a clear message to the public that Dania's laws will be enforced and Rob McCoy questioned whether or not BSO officers should use judgment when issuing loitering tickets out to elderly and handicapped persons. Commissioner Hyde commented on the need to enforce the Code and give BSO an opportunity to respond to some of the accusations that have been presented. Commissioner Bertino said that drug dealers and the criminal element encourage dissension against the police when crackdowns begin in neighborhoods and that the Human Relations Committee should address issues relating to abuse of power by BSO. Major Carney reminded the Commission that BSO was aware there would be problems with the crackdown in the northwest section because social change causes pain. He reponed that there has been some improvement in the area because citizens are telling officers "Thank You" and stating that this is the first time they have felt safe to walk down the streets. He said that the good complaints have to be separated from the bad complaints in order to take the proper action and encouraged people to call him directly, a representative on the MADDADS organization or a board member on the Human Relations Board for complaint assistance. Vice Mayor Grace advised Lt. Anton and Chief Farley that she cannot give over the names of some persons who call her because these people want to remain anonymous and do not want to be identified. Chief Farley said that citizens can remain anonymous when they are reporting burglaries or drug dealing but identities are needed when making complaints against Deputies. It would not be fair to the officer and the Department cannot proceed to investigate the complaint without the person's identity. Chief Farley gave an overview on the procedures used to handle complaints that are standard policy practices used by the District and Internal Affairs level. Funher comments were mentioned by Commissioner Benino on how much bemer the process is today with BSO compared to how complaints were handled when Dania had their own Police Depanment. Major Carney stated that BSO is in the process of establishing permanent zones in each District so that Deputies can get to know the community and people can get comfortable communicating complaints to the officer. Chief Farley advised that if a Deputy uses a racial term towards any citizen that he would recommend to the Sheriff that the officer be fired. Michael Curry complained about the lack of progress with the concession stand at Modello Park and policy used to issue tickets for loitering in the nonhwest section. City Manager Flatley advised that MEBA offered 2WORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 30, 1994 Rob McCoy mentioned his efforts to work with the Police Department for better relationships with the community over the pa$ few years and stressed the need for BSO to listen to the citizens to resolve the problems. Vice Mayor Grace reported that the project has gone slow and that the roof was just completed. The next phase will include the windows and doors and then Ronald Bain has indicated that the Red Birds and some concerned citizens will finish the project. Jabrille Javrase stressed the need for people to be respectful. He felt that the officers are the problem because they do not respect some residents and police tactics in the north'west section are different from the tactics used in the southwest side of the City. Reverend Gregory Meyers, MADDADS, came forward to encourage the public to come to MADDADS to get assistance on BSO problems. He explained that MADDADS is a group of men who are genuinely trying to assist the community and BSO in the fight against drugs. Veronica West Larkins came forward to explain an incident that occurred with Officers Navaro, Cooper and Rollo on March 17 around 8:30 p.m. along with problems encountered with Deputies dealing with young people. At Chief Farley's request, she agreed to make out a complaint. Michael Curry questioned Chief Farley on whether it is proper for a deputy to call him back shortly after he has made a complaint to the Desk Sergeant about the officer. He stated that citizens get discouraged because it is not easy to make complaints about deputies or for citizens get through to Chief Farley. Chief Farley encouraged citizens to go through MADDADS for assistance in order to get to him and Mayor Mikes said that Commissioner's phone numbers are also available. Commissioner Bertino suggested that Chief Farley provide written procedures for citizens so that they will know how to proceed with complaints. Rosalyn Curry reponed that her 77 yer. old son was questioned by Deputy Navarro on whether he was related to Commissioner Grace and stressed the need for BSO to treat young people with respect and compassion. She questioned Chief Farley on entrapment procedures used by female deputies. Bob Adams, Vice Chairperson on the Human Relations Board, commended BSO for their performance and said that he has never encountered any problems getting through to Chief Farley or in making complaints. Jenard Bacon came forward to explain some unprofessional behavior that he and his frien& encountered with BSO Deputies on February 19 when a police officer drove a squad car into a crowd of young people. He said thar they almost ran over them and that the Deputies used racial slurs to the group. Funher comments were expressed about his being continually harassed by a BSO officer. Chief Farley stated that the February 19 incident is being investigated. Rosalyn Smith came forward to question BSO on why they continue to try and close down her business, The Touch of Class. Chief Farley stated that BSO issued several warnings to her for playing loud music until it was corrected and that people are attracted to the loud music and drink beer at the location. Deputies have witnessed liquor being brought into the club and that no liquor license was posted. Chief Farley mentioned that Ms. Smith's staff has not been cooperative to Deputies when they are investigating complaints at her business and that this shuts down communication. Chief Farley agreed to meet with Ms. 3WORKSHOP MEETING MARCH 30, 1994 Smith and City Manager Flatley after the meeting to discuss the problems ar the business. Donald Duffy came forward to complain about the response time on burglaries by BSO and the drug problems encountered in the Southwest section. Lt. Anton reponed that he was aware of Mr. Duffy's incident and acknowledged that BSO does make mistakes in responding to calls. Further comments relared to other areas of the City that are having crack cocaine and burglary problems and that the Police need public assistance to fight the problems. Tim Mcleod and Gloria Mcleod came forward to request assistance with a noise problem created by rap music coming from Kings Market near their residence. Mr. Mcleod explained his frustration in attempting to obtain assistance from the Hollywood Police since the area borders on Hollywood and Dania. Funher comments related to how the noise level can encourage violence and how this is a community issue that needs to be addressed. Chief Farley agreed to meet with Hollywood and Mr. Mcleod to work out the problem and Vice Mayor Grace said that she would try to find out who issued the permits for the music. Buelah Lair felt that there is a need for people to fear the police and that community closeness may not be good. Villie Miles, President for Friends of Children, felt that fear makes the problems worse and that young people should get to know police officers so they can become comfonable with them. He encouraged people to get involved with taking care of their community and for men in the community to vzalk the streets to deter crime. Faye Banelmes came forward to explain her problems with loud music coming from the Laundromat near her residence and how disrespectful people are to her when she asks them to turn the music down. She questioned BSO on why more tickets have not been issued on this violation. Chief Farley stated that there was a citation written recently and that the manager at the Laundromat has been advised that he must keep the noise down. Tony Stevens understood that Police have to use excessive force sometimes in order to do their job and that BSO is doing more good than bad in the community. Funher Commission comments related to the community and BSO remaining united in order to resolve the crime problems in the City and to keep lines of communication open. MayoruGomml Clty Clerk-Auditor WORKSHOP MEEIING --?-)- MARCH 30, 1994 Evan Leatherman mentioned that he has never encountered a problem with getting through to BSO and getting things done and that most people can walk through any neighborhood in the City without concern. fhls workshop meeting aqiournod. 4